Hot rodders must face up to reality

Hot rodders must face up to reality
David Grainger, CanWest News Service

In a typical case of killing the messenger, I received some pretty nasty e-mails in response to a recent column about the vulnerability of hot rods and custom cars to environmental legislation.

Rather than it being taken as a cautionary tale, it was misinterpreted as my personal condemnation of hot rods and the custom car culture. Some comments were amusing but, by the time I had finished responding to some of the doorknobs, I was starting to think that putting them out of business isn't such a bad idea.

Several points were raised that I would like to address:

First claim Hot rods are fuel efficient and environmentally friendly: Sure, a 427-cubic-inch, big-block Chev with two Holly 750 double-pump carburetors, headers and cherry bomb mufflers is positively tree hugging, a real exercise in environmental awareness.

full article here:
http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id=264440e9-bcd4-409a-9c0d-f75ed8d86606


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HOT ROD Power Tour Rolls Through the Midwest in 2007!

HOT ROD Power Tour Rolls Through the Midwest in 2007!

The HOT ROD Power Tour is easily considered one of the best automotive tours in the world and is a rolling testament to what HOT ROD magazine is all about. The seven-day, seven-city tour will wind its way through the mid-west and will generate a nationwide buzz in the automotive enthusiast market!

full article here:
http://www.hotrod.com/powertour/

technorati tags: custom cars,hot rods, hot rods: tuners, cars

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007: Aston Martin DB5

James Bond has probably driven more different vehicles than any handful of other screen characters in cinema history. From the Sixties cool of a Sunbeam Alpine and Aston Martin, through the Seventies and Eighties with svelte Lotus Esprits, to the Nineties chic of BMW sportscars, and speeding into the 21st Century with Aston Martin’s beast of a car – the Vanquish. Take a look at the files of just a few of the cars in which James Bond oo7 has created more screen destruction, havoc, mayhem – and motor vehicle madness than a
posse of short-sighted pensioners on the M25 or an Interstate Highway!

Aston Martin DB5 - Goldfinger

When Bond's old Bentley could no longer cut the ice, 'Q' Department came up with this classic British sports car, fully loaded with optional extras...

Front and rear extending over-rider rams.
Front firing .30 calibre Browning Machine. Machine guns behind the front indicators
Retractable tyre slashers
Retractable rear bullet proof screen
Radio telephone concealed in secret door compartment
Radar scanner in racing type wing mirror, tracking screen in the cockpit
Passenger ejector seat - roof panel jettisoned just before the seat is fired
Oil slick ejector from nearside rear light cluster.
Triple spiked nails (calthrops) from the offside rear light cluster.
Cartridge for smoke screen released through the exhaust pipes.
Revolving number plates (BMT 216A - UK, 4711-EA-62 - France and LU 6789 - Switzerland)
Armaments draw under front driver seat
Bullet-proof front and rear screens.

http://www.007.info/Cars.asp

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The Black Beauty

This is the most complete history to date; there are gaps of information, however, if you have factual information that can be corroborated with documentation I welcome your input.

Dean Jeffries created both cars in 1966. One car, the number #1 was created first some time in June or July. They were both used on the set of the show and first appeared together in the episode "Corpse of the year" on January 13, 1967. On March 24, 1967 the last episode of the Green Hornet aired. After the filming, both cars moved to undisclosed locations.

Some years later George Barris acquired one car. From that car he made a reported (3)Copies for promotion. Later he sold the original to JJ Born of the Chicago Historical Antique Automobile Museum Inc. in Highland Park Ill. After some time Born sold the car to a Chicago area Dentist. It sat for a few years and then was resold to Vintage Motorcars Showplace in Cleveland, Ohio. During the time that it was there, it was rented out for parties and special events. It appeared at the Chicago Hero Convention in March of 1991 were it was supposed to be auctioned for sale. There were no buyers. At that event Van Williams and Wende Wagner signed the desk in the rear of the car. Later in 1991 the car was put up for auction at the Kruse fall Auburn event in August. At that event it was purchased by Miss Opal Wall of Sturgis Michigan. At that time she was 78 years old. She was a unique lady with a passion for black cars; she owned three when I met her. She said she liked The Black Beauty's color and style. In 1992 she put the car in Gilmore's auto museum in Kalamazoo Michigan.

Full article at :

http://www.theblackbeauty.com/historyii.htm

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The Fear Factor 1970 Hemi-Powered 'Cuda

The Fear Factor 1970 Hemi-Powered 'Cuda
Reality-Show Host Joe Rogan Commissioned Rad Rides by Troy to Build the Hemi-Powered Sick Fish 'Cuda

As the shenanigans of each episode of Fear Factor draw to a close, host Joe Rogan enlightens viewers by announcing to the winner, "Evidently fear was not a factor for you." That line has been repeated enough over the past five seasons to become a catch phrase of sorts that reflects the show's success. In the cutthroat world of reality TV, that's an awfully long time to survive, and it has no doubt imparted its host with some monetary flexibility with which to buy steel-crafted toys of hedonism.

Most Hollywood celebs opt for blinged-out Hummer H2s, Bentleys, traditional wanker exotics, and (gag!) trendy gas-electric hybrids, but Rogan did the right thing and had Rad Rides by Troy build him a '70 Barracuda. The car means more to him than the average ego-carriage, as it pays tribute to a clunker Mopar his mom gave him before he made it big. In a way, it symbolizes how far he's come since the days of touring the country as a fledgling stand-up comic.

No doubt, the car had to be truly unique to capture the sentimentality it represented. Few builders are as well known as Troy Trepanier. Being the darling of the automotive press and a fixture on the hit TV series Rides has a way of doing that, and his list of celebrity clients grows by the day.

We already broke the news that Troy's working on a drop-top '67 Lincoln Continental to sweeten that World Series trip for Boston Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez. In addition to the inherent stress of delivering a hallowed E-body that justifies the six-figures-and-then-some price tag, the crew had to work within a tight six-month timeframe to coincide with its scheduled debut on Bud Brutsman's Rides show on TLC. That was the bad part. The good part was a relatively big budget to exercise creativity, with the only criterion being "make it cool." Ah, the beauty of a double-edged sword.

A big part of making that deadline was starting out with a car in relatively good shape. Again, it was a rather laissez-faire process for Joe. He told Rad Rides what he wanted, and they went out and bought a car to start with for $13,000-one that was mostly rust-free and straight, save for a pair of dinged-up quarters. In trademark Trepanier fashion, the host of subtle visual cues aren't recognizable at first glance, but their individual elements become more prominent upon closer study and more innovative when considering the craftsmanship they required. It ultimately hits you as a brilliant artistic statement. The most obvious change is the AAR 'Cuda hood, not often seen in shiny paint, and the cotton-gauze air cleaner peeking out from its flared scoop. Further enhancing the hungry-look theme is a custom front lower valance that integrates a scoop of its own surrounded by more AAR-like winglets on both sides. Widened and mounted flush, the front bumper is from a (forgive him) '69 Camaro.

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/113_0501_1970_plymouth_barracuda/

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1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe - Foxy Blue

1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe - Foxy Blue

It's always nice to see cars such as this '39 Chevy Master Deluxe owned by Mr. Harold Ferguson of Compton, California. You see, Harold has been a lowrider since the early '60s, longer than many of you have even walked this Earth, let alone driven, but we digress. "I've been lowriding since I was 13 years old," says Harold. "My first car was a '54 Chevy sedan."

After tooling around town in that '54 for a while, Harold came across his second ride, a '64 Chevy Impala, and then his third ride, a '65 Impala Super Sport. As time passed and the mid-sixties crept up, so did the Vietnam War. Harold did his patriotic duty when he was called in for service. During this time period, radical changes were happening within the social and political climates back home.

So to keep his mind off of "things," Harold came to know a few new friends and was introduced to a more vintage version of steel. One person whom he'd met owned a '42 Chevy Fleetline and, as soon as he returned to the States, Harold got the bug and went out to buy a '46 Fleetline. But the car that would eventually capture his eye would be a '39 Master Deluxe.

Harold would see these cars that were in The Duke's Car Club stable and figured that he'd get that next. "My dream finally came true when I bought my '39 Chevy," recalls Harold. "I had the color of the car in my head way before owning it, as well as the interior." Talk about pre-visualization!

"This is the result of the love that I have for old cars," Harold adds. "The car turned out exactly how I had it in my mind." Yes, well, we can attest to the fact that some of these vintage jewels can catch the eye, just as can a pretty lady. That's probably why Harold chose to call his Chevy "Foxy Blue." "I can't express the feeling that I have when I drive my '39," Harold tells us, "but I can appreciate her and all of my Chicano brothers who helped me out along the way!"

Foxy Blue Owner: Harold Ferguson

Vehicle: '39 Chevrolet Master Deluxe

City/State: Compton, California

Engine/Drivetrain: A '71 General Motors 250-c.i.d. 6-cylinder engine was transplanted by "Bule" from East Los Angeles, California, who handled the transmission as well. The exhaust system was also done up in East L.A. at Atlantic Muffler.

Body/Paint: The beautiful finish was achieved by the talented John Frausto at the Black Jack shop in Hawthorne, California. The car sports a candy blue finish that's a real eye-catcher. The shiny stuff was handled by Danny at the Bumper Shop in Los Angeles, where the bright chrome work was done.

Interior: As far as the inside goes, Harold wanted to keep it clean and traditional so he took the car to Joe at California Upholstery in Bell Gardens, California, where the factory seating and panels received a dapper-looking burgundy velour finish offset by some tasty pinstripes. Look overhead while sitting in the car and you'll fine more of the rich color in the form of a headliner and recovered visors.

Sound System: As for some sounds, Ed Lopez of La Puente, California, hooked up a Pioneer CD player and a few "stealth" audio items in and around Harold's pride and joy.

Suspension: We thought that the bomb was either on bags or lifted, but we were wrong. Harold drives the slammed '39 at the same height all of the time by the use of modified coils in front and lowering blocks out back.

Tires: P185/75-R14 Sumitomo radials

Wheels: 14-inch OG wires with Chevrolet knockoffs do the job for Harold

http://www.lowridermagazine.com/features/0704_lrmp_1939_chevrolet_master_deluxe_foxy_blue/

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Knight Rider car Kitt being sold

BBC NEWS Entertainment Knight Rider car Kitt being sold:

"Knight Rider car Kitt being sold

Hasselhoff played crime-fighter Michael Knight in the programme
One of four 'talking' cars used in TV series Knight Rider is being sold for $150,000 (£76,000) in California.
Known as Kitt - or Knight Industries Two Thousand - the Pontiac Trans Am was driven by actor David Hasselhoff during the American drama in the 1980s.
It has been restored, complete with the red 'scanner' light on its bonnet.
But fans of the show must accept that the actual car has no voice and cannot drive itself or soar into the air, even though these were Kitt's trademarks.
And the vehicle's new owner will not be able to take it on the road, as it is missing a number of modifications required by US law, such as controls on the amount of pollution it emits.
The car currently belongs to Tim Russo, who bought it 10 years ago at an auction and who has been restoring it since.
The dealer, Kassabian Motors of Dublin, California, is keeping it on display until it is sold. "

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1953 Chevrolet Handyman - Family Dream

This Chevy Wagon Puts The "OG" In The "OC" Just Like Back In '53.

"When I was growing up, my Uncle Ray would let me sit behind the wheel of his '51 fastback while he was working on it," says Eli Balandran of Anaheim, California. "I always dreamed that one day I would have an old Chevy of my own. Then I saw this '53 wagon for sale. It was like nothing I'd seen before and I knew that it had to be mine."

So began Eli's '53 Chevy Handyman project. He actually drove it around in primer for a while before deciding with his wife, Rhonda, to completely restore it. Another uncle, Uncle Tony, helped out with rebuilding the engine and transmission and getting the vehicle in running order. While Orange County shops like Ron's Autobody in Garden Grove and Advanced Carburetor in Santa Ana worked their magic with the body and mechanicals, Eli and Rhonda spent "countless weekends" at SoCal swap meets in Long Beach and Pomona trying to find all of those hard-to-find accessories.

Eli and Rhonda christened their '53 "Family Dream" and began to display it with other Good Times Car Club (Orange County chapter) vehicles at various SoCal car shows. Eli claims seven First Place trophies and five Second Place trophies, with the highlight being the Second Place class award won at the 2006 Lowrider Magazine Super Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Being family oriented, Eli thanks his wife and their daughters Gabriella and Lilliana for their support in "pushing me to complete the dream when I wanted to give up." He also credits his "Pops" for all of his knowledge and advice, as well as his Good Times C.C. familia.

Eli tells us that all of those trophies don't mean that his Family Dream machine can't be improved upon in the future. He plans to tear down the wagon, and add airbags and some chrome to the engine. It seems that the '53 wagon has become a member of the family and will be around for the long haul.

Family Dream Owner: Eli and Rhonda Balandran

Vehicle: '53 Chevrolet Handyman

City/State: Anaheim, California

Club: Good Times C.C.-Orange County

Engine/Drivetrain: Eli and his Uncle Tony rebuilt the original 235-c.i.d. engine and fitted the car with a 9-inch glass-pack exhaust system.

Body/Paint: After Eli added bumper guards and fender skirts, Ron at Ron's Autobody in Garden Grove, California, applied Sherwin-Williams emerald green paint with refrigerator white for the top. Frye's in Garden Grove added the pinstriping. Diego at Advanced Carburetor in Santa Ana, California, provided the chrome plating. Jac Bat Glass in Santa Ana cut new green windows.

Interior: West Coast Upholstery in Garden Grove created the pleated green velour interior in "OG fashion." Like any older vehicle builder/restorer, Eli will tell you how much fun he had finding those vintage interior accessories, items like a tissue dispenser, flashlight, fan, compass, shaving kit, ice chest, picnic basket, Presalite cigarette lighter, "beehive" ashtrays and Smokey Bear "snuff-it."

Sound System: Eli kept it simple, installing a Kenwood head unit and a few discreet speakers.

Suspension: Stock

Tires: P175/75-R14 Hercules

Wheels: 14x7 reversed Roadster

http://www.lowridermagazine.com/features/0704_lrmp_53_chevy_handyman_family_dream/

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Dadillac - 1990 Cadillac Brougham D'Elegance

Dadillac - 1990 Cadillac Brougham D'Elegance

Anyone known as "Big Daddy" had better have a ride worthy of that monicker. What would be the appropriate vehicle for an individual with such a name? A Hummer? Hmm! Maybe a monster-size pickup or SUV? Well, this Big Daddy is a lowrider with Legends C.C. out of Moreno Valley, California. Given that information, there could only be one ride for Big Daddy... a Cadillac. Perfect!

Big Daddy's "Dadillac" is an Ice Blue '90 Cadillac Brougham D'Elegance that was completely reworked from top to bottom, front to back. The price tag for the luxury lowrider? Well, that's not so easy to figure. "I'd been looking for a Cadillac, but had not found the right one," Big Daddy explains. "My wife had a Ford Explorer and on Father's Day, she traded it for this Caddy. So I got the Caddy for Father's Day, but the surprise was that I had to buy my wife a new car!"

Construction time is also a bit of a mystery. You see, Big Daddy's built up the Cadillac twice. He estimates that the car was rebuilt twice in about three years. Many top shops and individuals worked on the project at one time or another, and Big Daddy thanks everyone involved, as well as God, his fellow Legends C.C. members, and especially his wife for showing such patience and giving him the Cadillac in the first place.

Does Big Daddy have any future plans for Dadillac? "Wait and see," he says. "There's a surprise coming!" Whoa, Big Daddy, take it easy. You've gotta leave a little something for the competition.

http://www.lowridermagazine.com/features/0704_lrmp_dadillac_90_cadillac_brougham/

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Car club keeps thumping, jumping

Tulsa World:

A Tulsa group works for a positive image for lowrider cars and owners.

The music was thumping with the rap song, 'This Is Why It's Hot.'

The car was jumping.

It's a bright-green 1984 El Camino with enough hydraulics in the back to lift its long body more than a foot off the ground and enough boom-boom in its speakers to lift the hairs on your neck.

What's that? Oh, that's the Sprite Can, said some bystanders.

And it does look like a Sprite can, all the way down to the thin white-and-yellow stripes cascading across its sleek, glittery sides.

It's the first lowrider Kelvin Reynolds has owned. He dug the car from a salvage yard four or five years ago and turned a jalopy into the envy of lowriders and lowrider wannabes.

There's a difference.

Wannabes aren't members of Individuals, a lowrider car club of which Reynolds is a member.

In Individuals, you must have a car. And a four-door Ford straight off the lot won't cut it.

The car has to have hydraulics, a hip speaker system and enough character to pass muster during inspections done on the cars every other week when the local group meets. "

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Knight Rider: KITT

KITT was designed by customizer Michael Scheffe. The convertible and super-pursuit KITTs were designed and built by George Barris.

KITT (an acronym for Knight Industries Two Thousand) is the name of a fictional computer that controls the high-tech Knight 2000, a black Pontiac Trans Am T-top automobile in the science fiction television series Knight Rider. The voice for KITT was provided by St. Elsewhere and 1776 star William Daniels, who requested that he not be credited for his work.

In the television show's fictional history, KITT was said to have been designed by the late Wilton Knight, a brilliant but eccentric billionaire and founder of the Foundation for Law and Government, (commonly shortened to "FLAG"), and its parent the Knight Foundation.

KITT's main cybernetic processor was first installed in a mainframe computer used by the United States government in Washington D.C.However, Wilton saw better use for "him" in the Foundation's crime-fighting crusade and eventually the system was installed in the vehicle. KITT was in fact the second vehicle built by Knight Industries with artificial intelligence. His predecessor was KARR, the Knight Automated Roving Robot. KARR was programmed for self-preservation, but this proved to be dangerous to the Foundation's interests. KARR was later deactivated and placed in storage while KITT was given to his new operator, Michael Knight (the new identity of Michael Long).

Unlike KARR, KITT is programmed primarily to protect Michael at all cost as well as all human life (referring to Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics). This is made clear in the pilot episode where Michael asks Devon Miles if KITT will protect anyone driving it. Devon's answer is that KITT's primary function is the preservation of human life, and Michael's in particular.

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Custom Car: George Barris, Part 6

Contrary to rumor, Barris had nothing to do with the De Lorean time machine from the Back to the Future movie series. There had been such speculation over the years, especially since a couple of De Loreans actually were customized by Barris' workshop. In 2004, though, Bob Gale at the De Lorean Car Show went on record and said that George Barris had no part in the design of the De Lorean in Back to the Future. Barris has also claimed to have built, or had a large hand in designing and customising Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters, the Monkeemobile (in truth, designed by Dean Jeffries), the Black Beauty (also built by Jeffries) from The Green Hornet, the Munster Koach and Dragula from The Munsters (both were designed by Tom Daniels).

Barris still works out of his shop, assisted by his son and daughter. The firm remains busy with 'kustom' creation, charitable functions, and even a Barris clothing line. The founder himself is still in the public eye, receiving awards, appearing at auto-related events, and recently being featured on ABC TV's popular show Extreme Makeover.

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Custom Car: George Barris, Part 5,The Munster Koach & Dragula

George Barris built two automobiles for the show: "The Munster Koach", a hot rod built on a lengthened 1923 Ford Model T chassis with a custom hearse body, and Dragula (which inspired a Rob Zombie song by the same name), which was a drag car built from a coffin, which Grandpa used to win back "The Munster Koach" after Herman lost it in a race. (According to Barris, a real coffin was, in fact, purchased for the car.) In real life Yvonne de Carlo drove a Jaguar sedan fitted with custom-made "spooky" ornaments, for example spider webs on the rims. She had to give up on it, as the car was repeatedly vandalized by "fans" hunting for souvenirs.

Or did he?
I've seen conflicting reports that the Munster Koach and Dragula from The Munsters were designed by Tom Daniel.

So I think designed by Tom Daniel and built by George Barris is more acurate.

"Coach and Dragula, the cars were actually created by Tom Daniel from specifications given to him by George Barris in 1964"
http://www.showrods.com/acrobat_articles/tdaniell.pdf

Also see: http://www.munsterkoach.com/dean1.htm

READ MORE - Custom Car: George Barris, Part 5,The Munster Koach & Dragula

Custom Car: George Barris, Part 4, The Clampett Family Truck

The Clampett Family Truck - The 1921 flatbed Oldsmobile four-cylinder truck with roped-down hood and glass-less headlights seen at the beginning of each episode of the sitcom THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES/CBS/1962-71. When the poor mountaineer, Jed Clampett, (Buddy Ebsen) discovered oil on his Ozark property "he loaded up his truck and he moved to Beverly. Hills, that is, swimming' pools, movie stars." As to the ownership of the truck, according to Jed "Strictly speaking, it belongs to my cousin Pearl. But I can keep it as long as I keep cousin Jethro."

When the series ended, the truck used to transport Jed, Granny (Irene Ryan), Jethro and Elly May (Donna Douglas) to Beverly Hills was donated by "Hillbillies" producer Paul Henning and placed on permanent display at the Ralph Foster Museum on the campus of the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout near Branson, Missouri. There is also a replica of the truck and all of the Clampett family on display at the Movieland Wax Museum exhibit in Buena Park, California.

READ MORE - Custom Car: George Barris, Part 4, The Clampett Family Truck

Custom Car: George Barris, Part 3, The Batmobile

Designed exclusively for the hit 1966 "Batman" TV show starring Adam West and Burt Ward. This automotive wonder was styled and engineered with the many different special effects innovations by Barris Kustom Industries. Originally it started off as a $250,000 1955 Ford Lincoln Futura concept car. With a deadline of 3 weeks this Lincoln was transformed into the world's most famous car.

Weight is 5500 pounds and it has completely hand formed steel body. Wheel base is 129 inches; overall length is 206 inches and the top height is 48 inches.Powered by a 429 Ford Full Race engine, Moon equipped, NitroOxide Thrust Front end design characteristic is the face of a bat with the hood scoop extending down into the frontal area accentuating the nose. Right and left eyes extend into the ears with dual 450 watt laser beams installed in amber reflective lenses. Hood scoop follows the front area with a hydraulically operated steel chain and cable cutter blade.

Hidden behind the ears are functional headlights for normal street driving. The grille cavity is the mouth of the bat with the internal mounted rockets. Dual 84 inch rear bat fins are in line with bullet proof steel as added protection for Batman and Robin. Operable red reflective taillights are mounted in the rear of the bat fins. Four 6 inch flared eyebrow bullet proof wheels wells are formed and used as tire protectors. Ten inch wide Rader wheels made of steel and power thrust alloy use traction grip Oval Firestone tires. The rear upper panel has triple rocket tubes and are on an automatic theft control system with shooting colored fire rockets. 360 degree turning is made possible by pulling the emergency bat turn lever that releases and billows the bat impression twin parachutes on a 25 foot nylon cord. Turbine exhaust finned air cooling rear tube is mounted on the V cavity rear grille section with both parachutes installed on each side. Twin aircraft streamlined plexi-glass bubble windshields and top section are made bullet proof and matching in design.

The center safety roll bar arch is made of alloy steel and equipped with operable flashing lights, right and left trouble shooters and miscellaneous warning lights, and then attached to the double bubble top. Twin body contoured air foam bucket seats are formed into the cab compartment of Scottish grain black naugahyde in horseshoe designs, pleats and rolls, black nylon shoulder body and safety belts are fitted for Batman and Robin. The center consul incorporates the power accelerator T arm and the Batman fire extinguisher. Steering wheel incorporates right and left turn indicator buttons made in half aircraft design with all the dials, gauges and speedo installed in center hub.

The dash is equipped with many different Batman innovations such as the Batscope that is hooked up with a revolving closed circuit antenna to bring the Batman full vision plus the Bateye switch for anti-theft control, the antenna is for an information radio wave pickup of messages and computering from the Batcave with an electronic unit installed in trunk. A Detect-a-scope is used to determine the area in which Batman or Robin are in, also the Batray reactors and laser beam button controls, plus many flashing warning lights and directional electronic systems.

Attached to the anti-fire theft control systems are swivel 5-way nozzles that eliminate any fire throughout the vehicle. Ad double cable control exhaust cutout system are used for sound volume. To finish off this different one of a kind vehicle are 40 coats of super gloss black and then is trimmed in an outline of fluorescent cerise.

READ MORE - Custom Car: George Barris, Part 3, The Batmobile

Custom Car: George Barris, Part 2

Sam decided to leave the business in the '50s, but George had married and he credited his wife Shirley with major assistance in promoting the company, which eventually became Barris Kustom Industries. It began to license its designs to model car manufacturers such as Revell and AMT, which spread the Barris name into every hobby, department, and discount store in the country and also into the minds of millions of eager model builders.

Barris is the subject of the title story in author Tom Wolfe's first collection of essays "The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby."

The 1960s would see the firm become heavily involved in vehicle design for television production. At the beginning of the decade, Barris, who loved extravagant design whether his or someone else's, had purchased the Lincoln Futura, a concept car of the mid-'50s which had been built by Ghia of Italy. It remained in his collection for several years, until he was rather unexpectedly asked by ABC Television to create a signature vehicle for their new Batman television series. Time was very short as filming would begin in a few weeks, and creation of a new design from scratch was scarcely possible. Instead, he remembered the Futura, which had been designed by the original Lincoln stylists to resemble a shark, with a menacing, aggressive front and high tailfins. Barris decided it was a perfect base on which to create the Batmobile. In three weeks the car was ready and the show was immediately a hit, the car becoming one of the most recognizable icons of the 1960s and possibly Barris' most famous work. Barris designs have also been featured in commercials. Barris' company often builds replicas of (but did not design) vehicles from other TV series, including The Beverly Hillbillies, The Munsters (Munster Koach, Drag-u-la), The Monkees (Monkeemobile), The Dukes of Hazzard (General Lee), Mannix (Roadster), Starsky and Hutch (Ford Torino), Power Rangers (Rad-Bug, Turbo Vehicles, and SPD Cars), Knight Rider (KITT), as well as Banacek (AMX-400). Barris Kustom Industries often sells these cars at auction for high sums, though they often lack in accuracy. There are rumored to be several lawsuits for misrepresented cars, many of which are currently displayed in museums as authentic cars.

READ MORE - Custom Car: George Barris, Part 2

Custom Car: George Barris, Part 1

George Barris is one of the best-known designers of custom cars in the world. With some justification, he styles himself King of the Kustomizers.

George and his brother Sam were born in Chicago in the 1920s. Due to the deaths of their parents, they moved to Roseville, California as children to live with relatives. Both were good students, interested in drama, music, and design. George was fascinated with model aircraft, and pursed the hobby seriously in his teenage years, winning competitions for his models.

The brothers worked at a restaurant owned by their family, and one day were given a 1925 Buick for their help. Although it was not in good shape, they swiftly restored it to running condition, and began to experiment with changing its appearance. This became the first Barris Brothers custom car. They sold it at a profit to buy another project vehicle, and their career was born. Before George had graduated from high school, demand for their work was growing, and they had created a club for owners of custom vehicles, called the Kustoms Car Club. This was the first use of the spelling "kustom," which would become associated with Barris.

Sam entered the Navy during World War II, while George moved to Los Angeles. Sam joined him there after being discharged. The two built their "kustom" designs for private buyers, and George also built and raced his own cars briefly. These activities brought them to the attention of the movie industry, and they were soon asked to create cars both for personal use by the studio executives and stars and as props for films, their first being used in 1958's 'High School Confidential'. They also made the acquaintance of Robert E. Petersen, founder of Hot Rod and Motor Trend magazines and, much later, of the Petersen Auto Museum. His publications and car shows further publicized the Barris style, George himself writing how-to articles for would be customizers.

In 1951, Sam had customized a new Mercury coupe for himself, and a customer who saw it ordered a similar car. This vehicle, known as the Hirohata Merc for its owner, was shown at the 1952 Motorama auto show and was so popular it overshadowed the best work of Detroit's top designers, on display at the major manufacturer's exhibits. It also established the early '50s Mercury as possibly the classic base for custom car design, a status it retains today.

READ MORE - Custom Car: George Barris, Part 1

Darryl Starbird's National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame Museum

Darryl Starbird's National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame Museum

The National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame Museum is a nationally recognized tribute to the leading street rod and custom car builders throughout the country. The 40,000 Sq. Ft. facility houses over 40 custom built exotic vehicles by world renowned custom car builder and designer Darryl Starbird as well as many other famous hot rod and custom car builders. Every square inch of the wall and space is full of photos and memorabilia of famous custom built vehicles including street rods, nostalgic custom cars, vans, pickups, sports cars and experimental bubble topped concept looking vehicles of the future. Many of the vehicles priceless in value having a historic significance as well as demonstrating thousands of hours of labor and ingenuity of design and workmanship.


$6 adults; $3 age 8 to 12; under 7 free
Groups of 10+ receive $1 off adult admission

Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm
Open by appointment on off-day hours

Hwy 85-A, Bernice (Afton exit on I-44)

918-257-4234

READ MORE - Darryl Starbird's National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame Museum